Fiddle Faddle

Random Ramblings

The girls' school had a fiddle player come and teach all the grades a little about playing, and at the end they put on a performance for their parents. I will post them playing because it's really cute, but the girls got to where they want to take fiddle lessons, so we are going to see if Adam's cousin could teach that and/or the piano, whichever one they take to. I would love to get a little family blue grass band going. Fiddle, banjo, it is my dream to play one of those! Hopefully we are on our way!


We had a big wind storm come through, and I was at work when I got a text from my neighbor saying our tree had blown down and was taking up half our street. The chick is never serious, so I totally did not believe her. We went back and forth until she decided to send me a picture on my phone. I still had about an hour to go at work! My sister in law was watching the kids and wasn't able to tell me, so this is what I came home too. I was so grateful that it hadn't blown down the other direction! The neighborhood kids loved playing on and in the tree until the city workers came and got it cut out of the road for us. And of course Adam worked late this night so didn't even come home till it had mostly been cleared. Pretty crazy!

The girls have been playing soccer again, with Adam coaching Natalie's team. He wasn't going to but no one else would coach, so we decided to team coach. I basically assist him. But it's nice because with my new work schedule, I can go to practices to help out and also to games, which I missed a lot last season. Emma's team is fun to watch because they have better concept of how to play. But I am proud of the girls getting out there and trying their best and having fun.

My sister, some friends, and I are doing a half marathon in June in Bend, so my sister decided I needed the experience of running a long race, so we signed up for the Pear Blossom race down in Medford and it's a 10 miler. I had to push my training up to get ready for this race since it wasn't too long after I started my training, but it went well and I was able to run with my sister the whole way. My mom came down with us and we spent the whole weekend with my grandparents and were able to visit with a lot of family which was great. We had a good time and I feel a little more prepared for the 13 miles coming up. This picture is us after the race. See how I am able to smile? It wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be.

Garrett and his new cousin Noah- born to Catrina and Charlie. This kids is so stinkin cute, I can't stand it. I mean Noah, but my boy is pretty darn cute himself, of course!

Seaside

For spring break, we went to Seaside for the weekend. That place is really cool. The kids had fun going to the arcade and riding the bumper cars, well, most of them. We also splurged and got one of those old fashioned pictures of the kids. If I can get my scanner to work, I will post it because it is adorable!! Garrett was a natural at posing and the lady kept telling us "can I keep him employed here? He is perfect!" I was cracking up. It was a fun little escape, but quite a drive. We were beat!


At Fort Stephens State park. Really great experience!

We were so unprepared for this! We were walking the strip with no extra clothes, towels, anything and the kids of course got soaked. We had to strip Garrett down in front of a ton of people with just his semi wet jeans and natalie's coat to keep him warm.

Emma before the bumper cars started. She did not enjoy this at all. She couldn't figure out how to drive and kept causing pile ups. I could tell on her face that she was gonna lose it as soon as it was over, and she sure did. Crying and blaming us for letting her drive by herself. It was quite the scene!

Natalie swinging on the beach. How cool is that? You'd think we were down in Cali or something.

We had great weather for the most part, so that was a treat.

Another attempt

Ok, so it has been about 6 months since I last blogged. Oh yeah, that long baby. And there have been plenty of things to blog about, I just couldn't seem to get the gumption. Sometimes I love the technology that helps us keep in touch, and other days I get overwhelmed. I mean, look at digital cameras. How many of us actually print out all the billions of pictures we take with them?
So, I am making another attempt at this blogging thing in hopes that my family and friends really do care to know what is going on with me and my family, and to hopefully be better about looking into your lives as well.
The next couple posts will be a brief update to get us up to speed and hopefully I can use the blog as a journal, etc. So, here goes...

Emma turned 8 on Feb 15 and was baptised on March 6th at 10am. Weird time, right? My mom was wonderful enough to make her a dress she could get baptised in. She made me help but I really couldn't complain. It turned out great and it's a wonderful keepsake. Plus she can wear it till she grows out of it. She is happy to feel the Holy Ghost with her and was happy to make this step in her life and progression.

In February, my parents rented a house in Sunriver for everyone to congregate in. It had 7 bedrooms and was perfect for everyone to fit comfortably but also have your own space. There was a huge hot tub that we hammered every day, and we had one side of the house for our family, since it's the biggest. There wasn't much snow but we were on a golf course and had snow on one side of the course, so the kids were able to do some sledding. The weather was sunny and wonderful and it was a great bonding time. We played a lot of Beatles Rockband thanks to Brynne, but not the drums which made me very sad.

This was not as fun for me as it looked. I used to like to ice skate but after this experience, probably won't feel the need to do it again. I looked like an absolute fool, especially next to my brother and sister acting like pair skaters around me.

Finally re-entering the blogging world!

Hopefully you all didn't give up on me, even though it's been a couple months. Finally was able to get pictures figured out on computer. Don't ask, it's been extremely frustrating. So, here I am coming back to update the world on our happenings since September. There has been a lot to mention.
Adam has decided after not doing so hot in Calculus, that he doesn't want to major in math anymore, which means no more math teacher. He wants to get a degree in econimics and possibly still teach, but is also on a waiting list for a newer program in water conservation at the school. We just have to wait to see if he gets in for next fall. Then it would be 2 years to finish that. I was hoping to be able to be a high school coach's wife, but my dreams are shattered. :) I just want him to enjoy what he is doing and be able to support us at the same time.
After lots of soul searching, I took a day job at my same clinic because the night and weekend hours were causing me a lot of unhappiness. I had done it for about 6 years and felt that I couldn't stand to work these hours for 2 or more years while Adam is in school. I was scared about figuring out what to do for the kids during the day, but Adam's sister comes over to our house and watches the kids for us to make things way less complicated. And Adam is home a lot with them because of his school schedule. So for now, things are working out good and I get to be a part of the goings ons that I have missed for so long. No more not getting to do things because I work. My schedule is mon-wed 8am-5pm. I have a ton of time off built up because I no longer have to use it. It's great!!!
I also started a weight loss journey with some of my friends. It has been good to have the support because we all know how hard it is! We started in september and I've lost 21 lbs so far. Wish it was more, but it's been coming off healthy. Plus there's those weeks that aren't so great. But I feel way better, and feel like I can continue do lose the weight with support. Wish me luck!

Our whole family completed a 5K on Thanksgiving called the Turkey Stuffer. Wish I had pictures but wasn't smart enough to remember that. I was going to run it with my sister but she decided to sleep in instead, so as I was getting ready in the morning, my family was waking up and I said to Adam "Lets all go and walk this thing". So we all got ready and I signed the girls up there because they were free, and we were off. There were a lot of people and I got to see a lot of friends I hadn't seen in awhile. Most of my weight loss group did it so that was great! The girls were really tired but when we got to the 2nd mile, I was like "we are gonna run the rest of the way to the finish!" They were exhausted but did their best and ran more than I thought they could. It was fun to do as a family and also a great way to feel better about stuffing ourselves on Thanksgiving!
That is all I can think of right now. I will try to be better at posting more often, because I miss hearing from my friends! And I will be better about checking in on all of you too!

Halloween and the Pumkin Patch

We all were in the spirit for Halloween this year. Even Adam dressed up, and that is pretty much a miracle. He was just supposed to be a doctor but put on the wig thinking it was part of the costume too. The night of Halloween, I took the girls trick or treating and left Garrett with my mom. Adam got to go to the Duck vs USC game with my stepdad, so it was just me and the kids. It was pretty drizzly so the girls weren't up for walking around much. Afterwards we booked it to the church because we had reserved it for my sister's 30th birthday party. Her hubby came up with the idea to have an old school dance party. It was fun but because of his and my poor planning, only family came and 1 friend. Thanks Kristy! It was really fun though. We had great food, great music, and great people to dance the night away. And she appreciated the thought and work. I took her to New Moon and dinner for her birthday present.

Every year when we go to the pumkin patch, we go to Johnson's farm. The owner drives the tractor for your hayride and takes you on a wild ride. If you don't hold on, you are flying everywhere! Plus he has all these scarecrows with pumpkins piled on there bucket heads and he lets you grab a bunch of gords to try to knock the pumpkins down along the ride. So fun! The kids love it. We went with our good friends and all had a blast. There was this pumpkin trick or treating bucket with the small opening hanging from a tree by a string. As we passed by, Adam threw a gord up and it went right in the bucket. If you saw this whole situation, you would realize it was a 1 in a million shot. That was pretty incredible. We decided later the guy should have given Adam a free ride or pumpkin for that one. What's up with that?

Kyla getting ready to tag a scarecrow!

Grandpa's 90th and first day of school

This very dark pic is Natalie's first day at Kindergarten. Her very best friend, who happens to be her cousin, is next to her. She loves school and wants to try to read everything, and write everything. I am impressed at how well she is doing. Her teacher thinks she isn't a morning person, and told me she starts to wake up around 11. Which cracked me up because she is done at 11:50. Yes, mornings are brutal with this one. But she was put into our family to shake things up a bit.

Emma on her first day of 2nd grade. She seems to be getting more confidence, especially with reading and has really grown to love it, which makes me happy. Reading is my relief! She has made a lot of friends, but that never worried me because she is extremely outgoing and social. She got to participate in a singing group thru school called the Razzle Dazzle kids and loved it. She performed at the city holiday market and for Grandparents Day at school. If I had video, you all would be dying. This kid is animated and not shy! It was adorable.

My Grandpa celebrated his 90th birthday. The man will live forever. He golfs, he landscapes, he bowls, lets just say for 90, he is doing amazing. As much family from all over came down or up to celebrate with him so it was basically a family reunion. It was fun but I wish I could have gotten to talk to and know the rest of the extended family better. If anyone is interested, lets make that happen! This is all of us kids and spouses and grandkids of my Mom's. Chris got cut out but was there too.

Garrett and all the kids playing in the sprinkler! They had a ball.

Adam, my mom, and baby Hannah(niece) livin it up. Mom and her sisters helped put together a slide show and memory book of my Grandpas life. That was fun to see and hear. Thanks for all the hard work, Mom!

I'm glad we could all get together and enjoy the beautiful weather, company of family, and the making of memories. Here's to 90 wonderful years, Grandpa. I love you!